Jews Object to Allied Policy of Clemency for Nazi Criminals

The World Jewish Congress will make representations to the Allies against the policy of clemency for Nazi war criminals instituted by the Allied review commissions and against the “inadequate” sentences imposed on war criminals by some German courts, it was decided here today at the concluding session of a three-day meeting of the WJC European Executive, Attending the session were representatives of Jewish communities or organizations for 19 countries.

The executive also reaffirmed the claims for indemnification of Jewish victims of Nazism presented to East Germany. It protested the recent East German governmental challenge to West Germany for the payment of reparations to Israel and the indemnification of Jewish victims of Nazism.

Also, the conference hit the proposed transfer to West Germany of the administration of the International Tracing Service, now operated by the Allied powers. The WJC requested that the Western Powers continue to operate the ITS either through the International Red Cross or under adequate international supervision.

Finally, the parley decried the renewal of “judicial persecution” of Hungarian Jewish leaders by the Budapest Government, on the eve of “possible relaxation of international tension.” The statement by the executive stressed that the Zionist activities for which Hungarian authorities are now trying the defendants were at the time they were carried on lawful activities.